Harris County is the largest and most diverse county in the Lone Star State, and its county judge leads a region of over 5 million residents. Once a Republican stronghold, the county electorate now leans toward the Democratic Party. 

Who will win the May 26, 2026, Democratic primary runoff election for county judge? What issues are shaping voter support in the race for the county’s top executive? Also on the ballot is the Democratic primary runoff for district clerk.

Given the size of Harris County’s electorate, its Democratic voters may play a pivotal role in deciding statewide runoff elections for lieutenant governor and attorney general. 

To identify candidate preferences and opinions among likely Democratic primary voters in Harris County, the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston conducted a representative survey of voters likely to participate in the May 2026 Democratic primary election. The online survey, available in English and Spanish, was fielded between May 5-9, 2026, with 1,200 respondents. The margin of error is +/- 2.83%. 

The Runoff Races for the Democratic Nomination for County Judge and District Clerk of Harris County

County Judge: Annise Parker leads Letitia Plummer, 54% to 36%, in the Harris County Democratic primary runoff election for county judge, with 10% unsure.

Among likely Democratic runoff voters in Harris County, 22% said economic inequality is their top concern when choosing a county judge, followed by ethnic and racial inequality at 15%, flooding and rising property taxes at 13% each, and poor street and road conditions at 12%.

69% of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Parker and 17% have an unfavorable opinion, with 14% not knowing enough about her to have an opinion.

55% of likely voters have a favorable opinion of Plummer and 8% have an unfavorable opinion, with 37% not knowing enough about her to have an opinion.

District Clerk: More than half of likely voters, or 57%, aren’t sure who they will support in the Democratic runoff for Harris County District Clerk. 23% support Darrell Jordan Jr., while 20% support Jose “Alex” Maldonado.

In the May 2026 Democratic primary runoff election, Harris County voters are expected to cast approximately one-fifth of all votes statewide.

Lieutenant Governor: In the statewide Democratic primary runoff election for lieutenant governor, 41% of Harris County likely voters intend to vote for Vikki Goodwin and 19% for Marcos Vélez, with 40% undecided.

Attorney General: In the statewide Democratic primary runoff election for attorney general, 32% of Harris County likely voters intend to vote for Nathan Johnson and 30% for Joe Jaworski, with 38% undecided.

Read the report to learn more about where Harris County likely May runoff voters stand on the 2026 primary runoff candidates for county judge, district clerk, lieutenant governor and attorney general, including differences of opinion when considering gender, age, race/ethnicity, education and March 3 voting history.

Media Release May 14, 2026

Research Team 

Co-Investigator Renée Cross, Senior Executive Director & Researcher

Co-Investigator Mark P. Jones, Senior Research Fellow, Hobby School of Public Affairs; James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy's Fellow in Political Science, Rice University

Maria P. Perez Argüelles, Research Assistant Professor

Savannah Sipole, Research Associate

Communications Team

Diana Benitez, Program Director, Web & Graphic Design

Falon Boehm, Multimedia Specialist 

Victoria Cordova, Executive Director of Communications

Jeannie Kever, Communications Consultant

Celeste Zamora, Communications Manager

Election Reports

Previous reports on statewide, county and city elections are found here.